Class Ambassadors propel fundraising in 2024
This year, Arts Academy alumni banded together to lead an innovative approach in class giving. Here’s how their efforts paid off—and how new donors can get involved.
The 2024 Alumni Reunion Weekend marked the culmination of a year of impactful giving.
Since the school’s founding in 1962, Interlochen Arts Academy has thrived because of the generous gifts of donors—friends and family members, supporters in the local community, and enthusiastic alumni. 2024 marked a pivotal year in that story of generosity as Arts Academy alumni came together and led a new initiative to support their former school through class giving. Their efforts paid off in significant ways this October.
2024 giving began early in the spring, with a group of dedicated Class Ambassadors sounding a clarion call to fellow alumni to join them in supporting the Interlochen Annual Fund. This peer-to-peer fundraising initiative focused on alumni from this year’s reunion milestone classes: 1964/65, 1975, 1984/85, and 1994/95. Over the summer, Class Ambassadors from these years worked with Philanthropy and Engagement staff to set up class giving websites and lead the charge on social media and beyond.
“We were excited to work with the Class Ambassadors on launching this initiative. Their enthusiasm and passion were inspiring, and together, we achieved a greater impact than we had anticipated,” says Stephanie Pierce, Director of Annual Giving.
When the gifts were tallied after late October’s Alumni Reunion Weekend, the success was revealed. Interlochen had received gifts totaling nearly $70,000 from 160 alumni donors between January 1 and October 31, surpassing the cumulative $52,000 goal by $17,000. Many alumni gave for the first time through this project, joining others who have led the way by giving generously each year—some for up to 36 years straight. In addition, Chris Kyprie (IAA 63-65, IAC/NMC 59-65) made a major gift to establish a scholarship endowment that was not counted in the overall tally, and prior to the reunion, 12 alumni documented that Interlochen is included in their estate plans.
Front row, left to right: Chris Kyprie (IAC/NMC 59-65, IAA 63-65), Danis Kelly (IAC/NMC 59-60, 62; IAA 62-64), Cathy Compton (IAC/NMC 62-64; AS 61; UNIV 66, 71-72; IAA 64-65)
Back row, left to right: Jonathan Plotkin (IAA 81-85), Misook DesJardins (IAA 82-84), Carolyn Felix Purcell, Associate Director of Engagement (IAA 84-86), Barbara Shaterian (IAA 82-85), Rob Bracken (IAA/NMC 73, IAA 73-75)
Not Pictured: Cari Lewis (IAA 92-94), Tim Vick (IAC/NMC 63, IAA 63-65), Jonna Bass Murphy (IAC 92-93, IAA 93-95)
For the alumni who participated, this year’s foray into class giving offered a powerful opportunity to give back to an institution that changed their lives while encouraging others to join them in giving. Class Ambassador Cari Lewis (IAA 92-94) has a passion for giving that began not long after graduating from Arts Academy. As early as the summer after her senior year, Lewis started sending donations to Interlochen from the tips she earned while waiting tables.
“From early on, I knew that I was very, very fortunate to have received the gift of my time at Interlochen, and wanted to pay it forward,” she says.
Inspired by the many performances and exhibitions she attended while at Arts Academy, Lewis studied arts administration in college and went on to launch a career in that field. Now, she is the Executive Director at Door Community Auditorium, a year-round venue for performing arts, entertainment, cultural and educational activities.
I give back to Interlochen because my Interlochen experience—first as a student, then as an employee, and now as an alumna—is something I deeply treasure. It is easy to ask my classmates to do the same, because most of them also hold that experience in the highest regard.
“Interlochen is the place that informed my listening skills and knowledge of the performing arts. What I learned there is the foundation for the work I do now,” she says.
Lewis is just one example of the remarkable individuals who continue to lead the way for young artists, making a life-changing Interlochen experience accessible to more students than ever. In true solo e tutti fashion, alumni have come together this year as a cohesive community to accomplish things no one person could do on their own.
“I give back to Interlochen because my Interlochen experience—first as a student, then as an employee, and now as an alumna—is something I deeply treasure,” says Lewis. “It is easy to ask my classmates to do the same, because most of them also hold that experience in the highest regard.”
The momentum will continue well into the holiday season, as alumni who wish to lend their support are invited to send in gifts by the end of the calendar year, December 31. Together, alumni from any class can help share the magic of Interlochen with gifted young artists from around the world.
Give to the Annual Fund today.